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Need Some Advice/Encouragement From Self Cathers Reading This

Posted , 8 users are following.

tom512836
tom512836

In April I had a Green Light Laser that weny OK.  I still was retaining in spite of the prostate surgery going well.  It seems that some BP meds I was on screwed up my bladder muscles.

We're hopeful that by going off this BP med and a bladder retraining program my bladder will recover its "memory".  In the interum My UR has arranged for me to be a self cather.

I have a foley in my "front door" as I write this.  The only experience I have with catheters is the LIVING HELL of foleys being inserted in ERs where they don't give a damn how they hurt you.  If you've ever been "foleyed" in an ER you can relate.

I have my first month's supply of catheters and I am slated to go to my URs office tomorrow to be trained to self cath. 

Here's where I could use some advice or encouragement:  I;m scared crapless!  I've beeb foleyed on and off in these past 2 months that my urinary track is raw to say the least.

Tomorrow in the URs office the foley will be removed and then I'm supposed to insert a cath in my training.  I'm really scared!  Is self cathing the livimg hell that foley insertion is?

Anything you fellow cathers could share would be appreciated.

The cathiters my UR ordered for me are the top of the line that are used only once.  They have that special tip that allows you to better navigate the sphincter muscles.  They are self lubed with all the bells and whistles.  As a matter of fact they are so top of the line that Medicare will deny.  It doesn't matter because I am retired Army (civilian) and as such I keep my Federal Blue Cross - Blue Shield so I'm fortunate on that score.

Any advice/encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance.

Tom

Tom

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • oldbuzzard
    oldbuzzard tom512836

    Posted

    Slef cathing will change your life in a really good way. The single use prelubed ones are easy and pain free. You can get portable ones that you can carry in your pocket (small enough package) so that as long as you can find a stall, no one will ever know. Once you get the hang of it, its only seconds longer than the normal way and once you get that foley out it will heal up pretty quickly. Peridium (spelled oncorrectly I'm sure) will help til it heals, but you'll pee bright orange so be careful wiht it.

    Once the meds are out of your system and you've had some PT, life probably goes back to normal.

  • MK51151
    MK51151 tom512836

    Posted

    Tom, no need to be scared at all. I started self catching in Aprill using prelubed hydrophilic catheters and it's really pain free and easy. Once you get used to it, it will be like urinating on your own.

    Good thing, you are retiree and it is even easier for you. I am still working and using portable ones pocket size while at work. You should not have any burning in your urethra after using this type of prelubed speedicaths from Coloplast or other company that makes them.

    If you have any questions feel free to ask.

    Good luck and fast recovery from your GL laser TURP.

    I am also scheduled for TURP on June 1st. 

     

  • lester90053
    lester90053 tom512836

    Posted

    If you had GL one month ago it is too soon to fully recover. My GL took 8 months for full recovery. Avoid meds. They do more harm than good with bad side effects.
  • gbhall
    gbhall tom512836

    Posted

    Sounds like speedicath, they really are a pleasure to use, and you will be amazed how easy it is. The special tip is called a tiemann (europe) or coude (USA) and is more pointed than standard tips, and also leans to one side. The catheter is inserted with the offset pointing towards the body.

    As a rule, there is little or no sensation as you pass these etremely slippery catheters, but perhaps if you really have been savaged with manual insertions recently, you will be a bit sore. Just take it slow and gentle for a few days. What size has been ordered ? They are much smaller than a foley for a start, and a fr12 is ideal for beginners.

    • gbhall
      gbhall tom512836

      Posted

      Is that bad ?  Not at all - it would probably be the most common size prescribed. Get your ruler out - it corresponds to a diameter of 4.7mm. It will be slightly stiffer than what I use, fr12, and this will make it easier to 'push' - (gently !!) if you need to. Once you are well practised, a fr12 becomes more a matter of just 'dropping' the catheter in, and no 'pushing' is involved at all.
  • stebrunner
    stebrunner tom512836

    Posted

    Tom,

    I just went through what you're going through. Had a Foley in for 3 months because I didn't think I could self cath (CIC). During that time had 5 Foleys inserted and taken out--once in the ER. Previous uro's staff wasn't any better. I thought if Foleys hurt that much there was no way I could CIC.

    Then I switched uros, and the new uro's staff is much better trained in CIC. Between the nurses and support from guys on this site--here's a thread on this site that helped me a lot: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/self-catherization-an-alternative-to-turp-greenlight-holep--336874?page=1#1963587. From this thread I got a lot of great support and suggestions from Jimjames and other guys.

    I've now been successfully CICing for 2 months now. It's given pretty much a normal life again. Don't have to deal with the horrible bladder spasims I had with the Foley. Don't have to deal with the leg bag or night bag, etc.

    The first 3 weeks weren't easy. Early on I ordered catheters that were too big, and they irritated my urethra. Once I got the right size, things went much better. A lot of guys on this site like the Speedicath, usually in size FR 12 or 14. I am currently using LoFric Origos FR 14.

    If I can do it, I'm sure you can master it, too!

    Stebrunner

    • tom512836
      tom512836 stebrunner

      Posted

      Thanks for the tip Stebrunner.  I will read every post on the link you provided.
  • derek76
    derek76 tom512836

    Posted

    Sorry to hear that as the procedure itself went well.

    Which BP med was it so that I can avoid it if it ever is suggested. Though over the years I have been on 13 different ones all had side effects of some kind.

    When I had BPH I just couldn't take diuretics as they always gave me a pain in the pelvic area and reduced my urine output.

    About six weeks after my PVP in 2005 I just had minimal retention. After a  Thulium/Holmium laser procedure in 2013 I had zero retention and my PSA went down from around 7.8 to 0.74.

    My only complaint after each procedure was not having as good a flow as I expected presumably due to years of earlier retention. 

     

    • tom512836
      tom512836 derek76

      Posted

      Many times medicines are prescribed for "off label" use.  What this means is using a med for one thing and later finding out, usually by accident, that it has a beneficial "side effect" that will help in another arera of medicine.

      Anti depressants such as xanax are primerily prescribed for people suffering from anxiety, depression and panic attacks.  I suffer from NONE of these!

      But the BP doctors are using anti depressants to control BP because they found that anti depressants have an interesting "side effect".  They lower BP.

      For a few months I was on low dose xanax and it did help with BP.  I admit to that.  When I discovered that my bladder muscles went asleep I decided to find out why?  I decided to research every one of my meds for adverse side effects.  There I found it!  Xanax WEAKENS BLADDER MUSCLES!

      I resent the fact that I had to research this for myself.  I resent the fact that doctors prescribe meds without regard to side effects and further, not informing patients.

      Tom  

    • oldbuzzard
      oldbuzzard tom512836

      Posted

      Zanax is not an anti dperessant, its an anti anxiety drug which can be quite addicting -be glad you're off of it with no problems. A lot of the BP meds have side effects that your doc was probably trying to avoid and if it weakened bladdr muscles a lot of the time it wouldn't be prescribed as often as it is. YOur doc was probably just playing the odds...albeit with a dangerous drug that clearly was the wrong choice for many reasons. That said, you should be OK once the meds are fully out of your system.

      There are a lot of blood pressure meds and if yours isn't too bad, regular aerobic excercise might bring it back to normal without drugs and side effects.

    • tom512836
      tom512836 oldbuzzard

      Posted

      As I said, I was on low dose.  I quit "cold turkey" and did not experience any withdrawl symptoms of any kind.
    • derek76
      derek76 tom512836

      Posted

      Too often I find that the patient is the last line of defence. I always refuse any that I call mind bending drugs.
  • anthony2858
    anthony2858 tom512836

    Posted

    Howdy Tom,  figured I would ping in with my 2 cents as well.

    I have been self cathing for almost a month and when I was shown how I was stressing out, but ended up being pretty simple.   I too had to be cashed at the er a time or 2 and both times it was brutal!  Not to mention humiliating!   So my fears of doing it myself were pretty high.    When I first did it at home I closed my eyes after getting it started and very slowly went in and when it got to a couple of tighter areas I leaned against the wall and jsut relaxed my groin area and took my time,  it felt like I was going to p*ss all over myself, but that is part of it.   So now a few weeks later I am a seasoned pro and actually look forward to it! Seriously!    You get such a sense of relief knowing that every last drop is out.  It is actually comforting to do.   I measure my liquid every time and do little experiments, like waiting until I really have to go and then pee natrually into my handi dandee measuring cup and then when I am completely satisfied and feel like I have emptied out completly, I turn right around and open up one of the little anti bacterial wipees and wipe the end of my penis and then do a self cath to see exactly how much I have left behind,  it is the absolute best way to see if your bladder is starting to expel more urine each time.   Self cathing is easy and very satisfying to know what your body is doing.   For the most part I will do it befor I go to bed and when I get up in the morning and let my body work natrually during the day.   Unless I get board then I may throw an extra one in there during the day,  just to monitor how I really am doing.

    Just do it!   You will be so happy to you did!

    Anthony

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